Circuit controlling apparatus



sept 16 1952 J. F. FREsE 2,611,060

CIRCUIT CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 20, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 :IE- L 3 d 3 y @n z///l l /d @Y fw-0m@ J. F. FREsE 2,611,060

CIRCUIT coN'rRoLLrNG APPARATUS s sheets-sheet 2 j: E

`\\\\ ll'. .l Pu m Z Q 5. 4 ka 0 O 0 W A 0 Q o 3 @OOOOMW hf@ a 0%00000 4 w. J mg@ 000Go@ O OL 0 Q 0%@ o @@@wowo @o c a Q w 9. f2 0.000@ O 0,@ Q ff@ @mi O G 0 0 u/avl G O I@ lOl l l .MMVI ,U Il ||.T| l1 I O O 0 l@ Y j 4/ f 9 n Wl .v 4 O O O 0 IWTI: J/ l fm@ .4 f 5 .Z IMG JI. mw G G w o m Pw u aw-m\ rmi/I-- @o Q gai@ dm/ T a l "..m\ 4 ...ld 4 J d a a a 2 Mw @uw 3 u 4 Sept. 16, 1952 Filed det. zo, 1945 Sept. 16, 1952 J. F. FRESE 2,511,060

CIRCUIT CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed oct. 2o, 1945 s sheets-sheet s 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Sept. 16, 1952 y Filed oct. zo, 1945 R vr m w N w m E r V M 7 Ww@ A QH y A WM @a g n@ Y -..MHHVAI ,o@ 5 w mw 2 .o

Sept. 16, 1952 J. F. FREsE 2,611,060

CIRCUIT CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed 001'.. 20, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 :PIE- E ,95 :SLE- 3U 50,0499@ gne/aw Patented Sept. 16, 1952 CIRCUIT CONTROLLING APPARATUS Joseph F. Frese, Baltimore, Md., assigner to The Monitor Controller Company, Baltimore, Md., a corporation of Maryland Application October 20, 1945, Serial No. 623,560

Claims.

My invention relates particularly to electrical switches and more particularly to high potential switching systems.

One of the'objects of my invention is to provide a construction of high potential switch having means for blowing out articulated arcs which may form at the contact breaks of the switches.

Another object of my invention is to provide a constructionof high potential switch embodying means for substantially quenching the arc formed at the contact breaks without the necessity of submerging the contacts in oil with the incidental necessity of reiilling the oil feeding reservoirs from time to time.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction of high voltage magnetic blowing out airbreak contactor -system having means for substantially extinguishing the arc at the contact break of the switching system.

Still another object of my invention is to provide the construction of an arc cooler for high voltage switching systems arranged immediately adjacent the high voltage contactor for cooling the arc and rapidly quenching the arc at the contact breaks.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a construction of magnetic blowout airbreak contactor system in which a concentrated magnetic field threads the gap between the fixed and movable contactors of the high voltage system with an arc dissipating chamber so associated with the contacts that the arc may be rapidly dissipated.

Other and further ob-jects of my invention reside in the construction and arrangement of a .multiple phase high voltage magnetic blowout :airbreak contactor system as set forth more fully in the specification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a threephase high voltage magnetic blowout airbreak contactor system embodying the arrangement of my invention; Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the contactor system shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view through one of the high voltage contactors showing the association therewith of the magnetic blowout airbreak system of my invention; Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken through one of the magnetic blowout airbreak contactor systems substantially on line 4-1-4 of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a detail view illustrating the manner of detachably securing the individual magnetic blowout systems in position in association with the high potential contactors; Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 'I-l of Figure 6; Figure 8 is atheoretical view showing the association of the airbreak magnetic blowout system with the contactor arranged in a high potential circuit; Figure 9 is a schematic view through the arc cooler showing the separate ionized channel paths established therein; Figure 10 is a theoretical view showing the ionization paths of the arcs; Figure ll is a theoretical view showing the potential distribution by the adjacent rods in the ionized paths of the arc cooler and Figure 12 is a theoretical view showing the magnetic distribution between the ionized channel paths of the arc cooler.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference characters I and 2 represent end plates of a frame structure which supports the high voltage magnetic blowout airbreak system of my invention. The frame constituted by end plates I and 2 has interconnecting metallic bars 3, 4 and 5 extending therethrough. These metallic bars are each covered by heavy insulation tubes such as, for example, a phenol condensation product or other insulation material represented at 3a, 4a and 5a. The tubes of insulation material extend to the washer members la and 2a which bear against the end plates I and 2, respectively, and serve to mount the bars 3, 4 and 5 rigidly in position between the end frame plates l and 2 against the nuts 3b, 4b and 5b. The tubes of insulation material serve as supporting means for the several sections of the high voltage magnetic blowout airbreak contactor system. The contactors are arranged in sections so that a single throw section may be associated with comparable sections in a multiple phase system. In the arrangement shown, my invention is applied to a three-phase high voltage system, but it will be understood that the switching system may be used singly or in any desired multiple combination.

The contactor system is operated by the angularly movable shaft 6 which is connected at one end with the actuator 65 and is journaled at the other end in bracket 'I2 which is supported at I3 on bar Il. The shaft I6 is covered by a tube of insulation material represented at '9 and around ,this tube there is clamped the switch arm I0 comprising members II and l2 clamped on opposite sides of the tube of insulation material 9 by means of screw members I 4. The arm Ill carries the movable contactor I5 which is yieldapli? supported on the arm by means of block I6 pivotally supported at II with respect to section Il of arm I0. The block I6 is maintained under tacting position with the xed contacter repre'- sented at 22. l Y

The xed contactor 22 has a longitudinal extension thereon constituting a runner 2S which extends upwardly to a position immediately below the arc cooler 21 shown at 26a. The contactor 22 is mounted on the rear of panel member 24 of insulation material and, by suitable support 23 which is fastened to panel 24 by bolt member 25.

The runner 25 is electrically connected through support 23 to connecting memberk 2|!v extending therefrom through the panel 24 and serving as an electrical connector to one end 29 of the magnetic blowout coil represented at 3Q. end of Vthe magnetic blowout coil 39, shown at 3|, is connected to terminal 32 supported on a bracket 34, a block of insulation material 33 mounted 'on panel 24. The terminal 32 is connectedV to the end of bracket 34 to the high voltage supply system. The V'Circuit from the contactorl systeinto high voltage supply source is completed through a iiexible conductor 35 which connects a lug 36 secured to the movable contactor |5. The other end of exible conductor 35 connects to the metallic strip 14,which serves as a support for the connecting terminal means 15. 'I'he strip 14 is supported adjacent bar-5 by 'means of clamp 1B which also supports the block 11 of insulation material which actsl to position the Vplates of insulating material 4U and 4|.

Each of the blowout systems includes a pair of magnetic pole pieces represented at 31 and 33 interconnected by the magnetic core 39 on which the magnetic blowout winding 30 is wound. The pole pieces 31 and 38 are formed from thin magnetic laminations and are inturned at right angles at one peripheral edge, as represented at 31d and 38o, and are directed toward each other terminating on opposite sides of the plates or insulation Amaterial represented at 4D and 4|. The laminations constituting the pole pieces 31 38 are each shaped as lrepresented in Figure 3 to Vprovide a recess having 'peripherally extending-edges 31h and 31o terminating inV ai'shoulder recess 31d. The recess 31d imparts suiiicient resiliency Vto the laminations to enable the 4magnetic 'core 39 to be introduced in the recess defined edges 31h 'and V31e to form therewith a magnetic el'd for this distributing lines of rforce threading the gap between the contactors |55 and 2-2. The-plates of insulation material 40 and 4I are spaced 'from each other'by'bushing members 42- and 43 adjacent the corners thereof through which bolts 44 and 45 pass'.

"The plates 4l! `andf4| have the edges'thereof, which register immediately adjacent panel 24, connected by bolt -inembers 46 and '41. Bolt members 4G and 4l' pass through and 'project from plate members and 4| and engage the metallic recessed blocks 48 and'49 whichex'tend from the frontjof the panel 24. vThe recessed blocks 4B and 49 are secured to the front kof panel 24 by bolt members 50 and 5| which pass through angle members 52V and l53.- zAsan en- The other ltapered or inclined, as represented at l5-a. and

Ma, to enforce tight engagement between the peripheral edges of plate members 4i) and 4| and the front of panel 24. An insulated tubular sleeve and spacerfmember 4Gb and 41h serves to space the plates'4 A and 4| and insulate bolts 46 and 41 from the path of the arc discharge. The sleeve and spacer members 46h and 11b are formed from asbestos to eliminate any danger of burning due to heat and discharge of the arc.

In order to support the magnetic blowout system I provide blocks 54 and 55 between the. outside faces of vplate members 4G and 4| and the space which is provided between the inturned faces 31a and 38a of the pole pieces andthe plate members 40 and 4l. The blocks 54 and .55 are secured to the pole pieces 31 and 38 by means of bolts 56 and 51 and are secured to the panel of insulation material `at 24 byscrew members indicated at 54a and 55a. Intermediate thevinner faces of the magnetic pole pieces 31 and 35 and the ends of the support for the magnetic insets 54 and 55 I provide non-ferrous plates 5B and 59 as shown. v i The runner 2G extends upwardly behind the front of panel 24 of insulation materialin spaced relation thereto and terminates immediately adjacent the arc cooler 21. The arc cooler 21 com,- prises a sheet of insulation material shown at 6) which is suspended between thev plates or insulation material 4D and 4| by insulated pin members 6| and 62 which extend through the plate members 40 and l4| and are provided with spacing collars 6ta and 62a to center the plate 60 `between plates `Mlan'd 4|. It will be observed that plate 60 is shaped to terminate closely adjacent the end of runner 2G at the peripheral face 21a `and 2lb thereof and is tapered or in clinedfalong edge 21e to allow freedom of movei ment of the movable contacter i5 'as shaft' vis angularly revolved in opening and `closing `the contacts .constituted by movable contactor liand stationary contacter 2'2. The plate A60, 'imm'ee diately adjacent the peripheries 21d, 2lb and 21o thereof, is provided with a multiplicity of spaced non-ferrousmetallic plugs shown at :63. .These plugs Apass through the insulation `material '6.0 and gproject symmetrically on eithenside thereof substantially filling the space between the plates of insulation material 4t and '4|. The plugs .63 are -so spaced that the Aarc which forms upon the 'separation of the contactors l5 and 22may be dissipated 'by following the magnetic line of force which threads the poleiaces 31ul and 38a across the gap through the c'ontactcrs I5 .and 22., threading upwardly through: the spaced plugs.'y :The charge developed in the arcnbybeing distributed between the multiplicity Vof plugs may .be rapidly dissipated and quenched. VIhe theoryof 'operation of the airbreak systein will .be-clearly 'understood from Fig. -8 lin whichrit is shown that the magnetic Vblowout coil'3e `isarranged in series with the high `po' tentialsupply circuit which may be of the order of 2300 volts 500 amperes at 60 cycles and connected. through the movable Vcontacter =|5 and stationary contactor 22 to the load represented generally at 64. This load may, for example, be a motor load or a heating load or other type of high voltageelectrical load. I have represented schematically the magnetic actuator which controls the movement of shaft 6 by reference character 65. The magnetic circuit of the actuator 65 is connected through remote control switch 66 with the supply line 61. The magnetic lines of force emanating from the magnetic blowout system 3l) are represented generally at B8 directing the arc formed between the contactors I5 and 22 in the direction of the spaced plugs 63 lin a curved path represented generally at 18 for dissipation through the chimney-like arc cooler 60.

That is to say, the magnetic poles 31a and 38a project the ionized arc 18 into the labyrinth oi short metallic conductors (i3A following two or more separate ionized channel paths shown at KI and K2. Figure 9 is a theoretical view showing the two separate ionized channel paths which are provided between plates 40 and 4| and the sides of the plate 60. The arc travels upwardly through the two channel paths shown at Kl and K2. The terminals of the ionization paths are represented at Pl and P2 at contact l5 and runner 26 in Fig. 10 between which the ionized discharge along the paths 18 takes place. The ionization potential gradients in channel paths KI and K2 are not identical for each portion of the discharge path although:

where Pl and P2 designate the opposite terminals; E designates the potential; KI and K2 designate the channel paths; and dl designates the innitesimal length of the discharge path.

However, EKI=EK2 for the interval dl for the reason that there is a potential difference on the rod C (plugs 63) between points bl and b2 in a direction determined by the potential of VDI-V122. In this way there is a random distribution of the current flow in the many rods C (plugs 63). This introduces a potential of opposite polarity at the'points nl and n2 shown in the theoretical diagram of Fig. 1l due to current iKl in channel K2 which tends to reduce the potential due to the space charge of the current in channel Kl and acts somewhat as a negative grid potential on a space charge in the channel path Kl, tending to stop the space charge.

Current will also ow across the insulated barrier M- (plate 60) through the conducting rod CI (plugs 63) and endeavor to proceed to the next adjacent rod. However, the rod Cl will not have the ionization current in the interval m2 since it was reduced in the interval ml by the previously reversed potential. It can be seen that this arrangement of rods or plugs has a choking 01T action on the ionized vapor path between Pl and P2 in many portions of the path due to the labyrinth of cross-conductors C (plugs 63).

Figure 12 is a further theoretical diagram illustrating the effect on the ionization filament of current i2. The axial or transverse current in rod Cn produces magnetic field pl and p2. Current m2 sets up aneld pl and p2. It will be observed that the current lament i2 is torn apart since p2 and pl pull the current transversely apart.

Hence, .ther magnetic iields are of a dispersal character on the current filaments between the rods C (plugs 63) of the system, tending to stop the flow of current between terminals PI and P2. This phenomenon results in a wholesale tearing to pieces of the current iilaments by magnetic actions as well as by reversed potententials.

Fundamentally, the plan is not to extinguish the arc between two metallic contacts but to divide the arc between many metallic contacts and to extinguish the arc between each metallic contact interacting between each other.

I have shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5 the provision for mounting the magnetic actuator 65 in close association with the contactor system. 'I'he magnetic actuator 65 is mounted upon an indi vidual panel 69 supported at the top 10 thereof on insulated tube 3a and steadied at the bottom 'll thereon on the tubular member 4a. The magnetic actuator may be of any desired construction for imparting angular movement to the shaft 6 in operating the contactor.

The arc-quenching labyrinth is formed by the multiplicity of electrically conductive members 63 spaced one from another and interacting in breaking up the arc into a series of short arcs for extinguishing the arc.

I have shown the separable contactor systems in spaced relation along the supporting bars. Any number of such sections may be arranged along the bars for controlling the power circuits. As heretofore pointed out, the arrangement illustrated is intended for three-phase operation. Inasmuch as each magnetic blowout section and chimney-like arc cooler is of identical construction I have limited the description thereoir to one section. It will be seen that the magnetic blowout pole pieces are centrally disposed intermediate the insulated tubular members 3a 'at the top, and 4a and 5a at the bottom, to provide for maximum insulation of the high potential magnetic blowout winding 30.

There is considerable advantage in the airbreak arrangement of my invention as compared to oil quenching systems in that requirements for oil supply and necessity for refilling of oil tanks are entirely eliminated. The magnetic blowout system of my invention is practically permanent in its construction as the parts may be readily replaced from time to time due to the simplicity of its construction.

I have found the construction 0f the high voltage magnetic blowout airbreak contactorsystem of my invention highly practical for production and successful in use. I realize, however, that modications in the construction and arrangement of parts of the system of my invention may be made, and I desire that it be understood that no limitations upon my invention are intended other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

l. A high voltage switch including a housing of insulation material, a barrier of insulation material extending intermediate the sides of said housing, a pair of contactors within said housing, a magnetic system adjacent said housingcomprising a magnetic blowout winding and magnetic pole pieces extending therefrom for establishing a magnetic field transverse to said contactors both above and below said contactors for forming separate ionized channel paths above and below said contactors, a labyrinth of short metallic conductors supported by said barrier and projectingon oppositesides thereof and terminating adjacent the interior walls of said housing and disposed in separate channel paths adjacent said contactors, said short metallic conductorsY being disposed both above and below saidcontactors in themagneticliield"transverse to said contactors and above and below a substantially medial line passing-transversely through said blowoutl winding andestablishin-g ionization potential gradients inl each channel pathaccording tothe equation ldZ=EK2d v P2 -f P2 where PI and P2 designate the opposite terminals ofthe ionization paths; E designates the potential; KI and K2 designate the channel paths; and dl designates theinnitesi-mal length of the discharge path and a panel of insulation material extending in a. plane normal to thev plane of' said barrier for separating said magnetic blowoutwinding from said contactors and labyrinth.

2`.'In a high voltage switch, a ixed contacter, a movable contacter coasting therewith, an insulatedhousi-ng surrounding said contactors and open at the top and bottom thereof, an arm carrying said movable contacter and angularly shiftable within said housing for making and breaking electrical connections between said contactors,` agn-'a-rc runnerv connectedv with said fixed contacter andextending upwardly through said housing, a barrier of insulation materialv supported in spaced relation tothe interiorw'alls of saidfhousing and projecting both. above and be-V Iowsaid contactors and .said arc runner, spaced conductive members carried. by said barrier and distributed both above and below said contactors and said runner and terminating. adjacent the interiorwalls of said-insulated housing, a magnetic vblowout winding, magnetic means excited by said windingr for directing the arc discharge at said contactors into said spaced conductive members, and inducing' into said members currents establishing; individual magnetic e'lds each op- `erating' to dissipate the arc discharge, said magnetic' blowout winding' and said' magnetic*l means associated therewith being located on a` substantially medial line extending transversely through said barrier; and a panel of insulation material formingK part ofsaid housing and extending normal to said barrier and separating' said magnetic bl-owoutvwinding from. said contactors.

3; In a hignvcitageswitch, anxed contact-cna movable contacter co'acting therewith, an insu'lated'housing surrounding said contactors and open; at the topandv bottom thereof, an arm carryingsaidmovable contacter and angularlyV shift-V able within said housing for' making' and breaking electrical connections betweenfsaid' contactor's; an arc runner connected with` said'xed con- Y tactor and extending upwardly through said housried by said plate member and through the area adjacent said contactors and runner for directing the are discharge at said contactors and .runner through said means, said magnetic blowout winding and said magnetic means excited thereby'bee ing'located on a substantially medial line extend'- ing transversely through plate member and a panel of insulation material forming part of said housing separating "said magnetic blowout wind ing from said contactors, said arc runner and said means.-

4. In a high voltage switch,- afixed contactors, a movable contacter coactin'g therewith, an iii-A sulated housing surrounding said contacter-s and open at the top and bottom thereof, an arm carrying said movable contacter and -angularly shiftable within said housing for makingv and breaking electrical connections between said contactors, an arc runner connected with said Yfixed contacter and extending upwardly through' said housing, a plate of insulation material centrally disposed within said housing and spaced from the interior walls of said housing and aligned with said runner, said platev having the edge adjacent said runner extending in an inclined direction for allowing angular movement' of said arm within said housing, velectricallyconductive means oarried by said plate immediatelyv adjacent the v.inclined edge thereof, a magnetic blowout winding, magnetic means excited by said winding and dise posed transversely of said conta-eters and adjacent the inclined edge of said plate for blowing out the arc formed therebetween and directing the arc through said electrically conductive means carried by said plate; said magnetic blowout winding and said magnetic means excited thereby being located on a substantially medial line extending transversely through said plate and the electrically conductive means carried thereby and a panel of insulation material forming part of said housing and separating said blowout winding from said contactors and arc runner.

5. In a high voltage switch, a iixed contacter, a movable contactor coacting therewith, an insulated hou-sing surrounding said contactors and openat the topV andl bottom thereof, an` arm carrying said movable contacter and angularly shift-v able within said. housing for making and breaking electrical connections between said. contactors, an arc runner connected with said fixed contactor and! extending upwardlyv through said housing, a

vplate ot insulation material'Y extending in; spaced parallel relation-with respect to the-interior walls of sai-dr housing and disposed` adjacent saidarc runner, plu-gsoi a conductive material supported by said: pla-teat spaced intervals. and projecting symmetrically on-.each sidethereof and ter-minata ing adjacent the interior walls-0fsaid housing. for forming spaced discharge surfaces, a magnetic blowoutfwinding, magnetic means excitedr by said magneticblowoutwinding for establishing a-magneticfeldi transverse to' said contactors and through the area of said plugsA forvdirecting the arc discharge fromY said contactors irl-separately Y spaced channels' between. the opposite projecting V- ci. In: a highl voltage-switch, a fixed contacter, Y

a movable contactor coacting therewith, an insulated housing surrounding said contactors and open at the top and bottom thereof, an arm carrying said movable contactor and angularly shiftable within said housing for making and breaking electrical'connections between said contactors, an arc runner connected with said fixed contactor and extending upwardly through said housing, a plate of insulation material centrally aligned with said runner within said housing and equally spaced from the interior Walls of said housing and recessed to allow angular displacement of said arm, a plurality of plugs of electrically conducting material mounted at spaced intervals in said plate and projecting equally on opposite sides thereof and terminating adjacent the interior walls of said housing for forming two arc dissipating paths within said housing, a magnetic blowout winding, magnetic means excited by said winding for establishing a magnetic eld throughout the area of said contactors, said runner, and said plugs, for directing arc discharge at said vcontact/ors through the two are dissipating paths within said housing, said magnetic blowout winding and said magnetic means excited thereby being located on a substantially medial line extending transversely through said plate and the plugs carried thereby and a panel of insulation material forming part of said housing and extending normal to said plate for separating said blowout winding from said contactors, arc runner and plugs.

7. In a high voltage switch, a frame, an insulated panel structure detachably supported on said frame, a xed contactor carried by the rear of said panel structure, an angularly movable arm operative' adjacent the rear of said panel structure, a movable contactor carried by said angularly movable arm for establishing or breaking electrical connection with said lixed contactor, bracket members extending rearwardly from said panel structure, a housing of insulation material detachably mounted 'in said bracket member behind said insulated panel structure and surrounding said contactors, means carried by said housing adjacent said contactors comprising a barrier of insulation material disposed centrally of said housing and projecting beyond each end of said contactors, spaced metallic members distributed over said barrier beyond each end of said contactors and projecting symmetrically on each side of said barrier, a magnetic blowout winding mounted on the front of said panel structure and magnetic means excited by said blowout winding and extending rearwardly from said panel toward said housing for magnetically directing arcs formed at said contactors into said spaced metallic members, said magnetic blowout Winding and said magnetic means excited thereby being located on a substantially medial line extending transversely through said barrier and the spaced metallic members distributed thereover, said panel of insulation material separating said blowout winding from said contactors and said metallic members.

8. In a high voltage switch, a frame, an insulated panel structure, brackets extending from the front of said panel structure and engageable with said frame, a xed contactor carried by the rear of said panel structure, an angularly movable arm operative adjacent the rear of said panel structure, a movable contactor carried by said angularly movable arm for establishing or breaking electrical connection with said fixed contactor, brackets extending from the rear of said panel structure, a housing of insulation material detachably mounted in said last mentioned brackets behind said insulated panel structure and surrounding said contactors, an linsulated plate mounted within said housing 'and recessed adjacent said contactors and extending both above and below said contactors, a plurality of spaced metallic plugs carried by said insulated plate and distributed both above and below said contactors, a magnetic blowout system including a magnetic blowout winding and magnetic pole pieces, said blowout winding being mounted on the front of said panel structure 'and said magnetic pole pieces extending rearwardly therefrom for magnetically directing arcs formed at said contactors into said spaced metallic plugs, said magnetic blowout winding and said magnetic pole pieces being located on a substantially medial line extending transversely through said insulated plate and the spaced metallic plugs carried thereby, said insulated panel structure separating said magnetic blowout winding from said contactors and said plugs.

9. In 'a high voltage, an insulated panel structure, a fixed contactor carried by said panel structure, a'n angularly movable arm operative adiacent one side of said panel structure, a movable contactor carried by said angularly movable arm for establishing or breaking electrical connection with said xed contactor, bracket members projecting rearwardly of said panel structure, a housing of insulation material detachably mounted in said bracket members behind said insulated panel structure and surrounding said contactors, a plate of insulation material disposed within said housing and spaced from the interior walls thereof in alignment with said contactors, plugs of electrically conductive non-ferrous material extending through said plate at spaced intervals and projecting on opposite sides thereof and terminating adjacent the interior walls of said housing for forming arc discharge surfaces intermediate the sides of said plate and the interior walls of said housing, a magnetic blowout winding disposed at the front of said panel structure and magnetic means excited by said blowout winding and extending rearwardly therefrom behind said panel structure for establishing a magnetic field transverse to said contactors for directing arcs formed at said contactors through said arc discharge surfaces, said magnetic blowout winding, and the magnetic means excited thereby being located on a substantially medial line extending f transversely through said plate and the plugs carried thereby, said panel structure insulatingly separating said blowout winding from said contactors and plugs.

10. In a switching system, a frame structure, an angularly movable shaft journaled in said frame structure, an arm carried by said angularly movable shaft, a movable contactor carried by said arm, an insulated panel member supported by said frame structure in alignment with said arm, a iixed contactor mounted on the rear of said panel member in the path of movement of the movable contactor, an arc suppressing housing detachably supported on said panel member and surrounding said contactors, a plate member of insulation material extending through said arc suppressing housing intermediate the opposite interior walls thereof and recessed to allow displacement of the associated arm and movable contactor carried thereby, spaced conductive members carried by said plate member in positions located both above and below said contaotors and terminating adjacent the opposite interior walls of said housing i'n the path of the arc incident to opening said fixed and movable contactors, a vmagnetic blowout winding disposed adjacent the front of said panel member, and magnetic means excited by said magnetic blowout winding and extending rearwardly therefrom. for directing the arcs fromsaid contactors intov said spaced conductive members Von said plate member, said panel member separating said blowout winding from said contactors' and spaced conductive members.

11; In' a switching system, a frame structure, anlangularly movable shaft journaled in said frame structure, an arm carried by said angularly movable shaft, a movable contactor carried by said arm, an insulated panel member detachably mounted on said frame structure in alignmentv with said arm', Y a xed contacter carried by the rear of said panel member in the path of movement of the movable contacter, a housing of insulation material detachably supported adjacent said panel member and surrounding the contactors adjacent thereto, a magnetic blowout coil individual to said coacting contactors, magnetic pole members extending from said coil in coacting relation to the associated contactors, panel and housing, a barrier of insulation material supported by said housing in a position intermediate the interiorl walls thereof and extending l above and below* said contactors, a multiplicity of spaced metallic conductors extending transversely through said barrier and supported thereby and terminating adjacent the 'opposite interior walls of said housing and forming separate arc dissipating paths on each sideof` said barrier extending both-above and below said contactors, said insulated panel member being interposed between the magnetic blowout coil yand the associated contactors. Y

12.1n-a high voltage switch, a housing of insulation material, a barrier of insulation material extending intermediate the sides of said housing, a pair of make and break contactors within said housing, a magnetic means including a magnetic blowout `winding and magnetic pole pieces extending therefrom for establishing a multiplicity of separate ionized channel paths disposed adjacent said contactors and extending both above and below said contactors, said magnetic means operating to maintain said multiple channel ionized paths in la continuous state of ionization, a labyrinth of short. metallic conductors supported by said barrier and projecting on opposite sides thereof and terminating adjacent the interior walls of said housing and ldisposed in each of said paths and operating to provide a multiplicity of electrically conductive paths each establishing magnetic elds opposingv the adjacent ionized channelpaths, said magnetic blowout winding and the magnetic means associated therewith Abeing located on a substantially medial line extending transversely through said barrier and the labyrinth of .shortf metallic conductors carried thereby, and .a panel of insulation material extending substantially parallel to said short metallic conductors and interposed between said magnetic blowout,v winding and said labyrinth.

13. In a high voltage switch, Va housing of insulation material, a barrier of insulation material extending intermediate the sides of said housing, a pair of contactors within said housing,

I2 a labyrinth. of short metallic conductors supported byl *saidY barrier and projecting onY opposite sides thereof and terminating adjacent the interior walls. of said housing and disposed in each of vsaid 'paths and 'extending both above and below said contactor's, magnetic means in-V cludingV a magnetic blowout winding. andY magnetic pole pieces extending therefrom for establishing a` magnetic field transverse to said contactors and extending through said labyrinth of short metallic-'conductors above and'below saidcontactorsY for inducing inY said conductors a current flow for establishingr magnetic Yfields operatingA to Oppose the maintenance ofarcs through each ofthe ionized channel paths, said magnetic blowout Winding and magnetic pole pieces extending therefrom beingv located on-a substantially vmedial line projecting transversely through said barrier and the labyrinth of short metallic conductors carrierthereby, and a panel of insulation material extending Vsubstantially parallel to the axis of said blowout winding and interposed between said blowout windingand said labyrinth. l

14; A high voltage switch including a housing of insulation Ymaterial, a barrier of insulation materialVA extending intermediate the sides of said housing, a pair of contactors within said housing, a magnetic system adjacent said housing including a.v magnetic blowout winding and magnetic pole pieces. extending ltherefrom for `establishing a magnetic field transverse to said contactors both above and below said contactors for forming separate ionized channel paths above and below'said contactors, a labyrinth of short metallic conductors supported by said barrier and projecting on opposite -sides thereof and terminating adjacent the interior walls of said housing and disposed in separate channel paths adjacent said contactors, said shortl metallic conductors being disposed both above and below said contactorsin the lmagnetic field transverse to said'rcontactors and operating to establish .opposite magnetic elds at successive distances from said contactors tending to suppress arcs from following the ionized channel paths through said vlabyrinth of short vmetallic conductors for suppressing and stopping the arc formed at the break of said contactors, said magnetic blowout winding and the magnetic pole pieces extending therefrom being located on a substantially medial line projecting transversely through said barrier and the'labyrinth of short metallic conductors supported thereby, and a ypanel of insulation material extending in a plane substantially parallel to the axis of said blowout winding and beyond the opposite ends of said blowout winding in a path interposed between said labyrinth `and said `blowout winding.

15. A highvoltage switch comprising two main contacts, a housing of Ainsulation material substantially surrounding said contacts, a barrier of' insulation material extending intermediate the'sides of said housing in opposite directions with respect to said contacts, an arc-quenching labyrinth supported by said barrier and extending on opposite sides thereof to positions adjacent the interior walls of said housing adjacent said contacts, and extending in opposite directions from said contacts, and a magnetic deflection unit vincluding a blowout winding and a pair of' pole `pieces extending therefrom in a position on opposite sides of said contacts for defiecting arcs from said contacts in opposite directions into said arc-quenching labyrinth,

said blowout winding and the pair of pole pieces extending therefrom being located on a substantially medial line projecting transversely through said barrier and the arc-quenching labyrinth carried thereby, and a panel of insulation material extending in a plane substantially parallel with the axis of said blowout winding and beyond the ends thereof and between said pole pieces in a path interposed between said blowout winding and said contacts and arc-quenching laby rnth.

JOSEPH F. FRESE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the fue of this patent:

Number Number Great Britain of 1911 

